Willett's Pot Still Reserve

I have mostly heard bad things about this Bourbon, but I can’t say I know anything else about Willett. This will be the first bourbon I taste from this distillery.

Source: Sample from Master of Malt.
Setup: Blind in a trio tasting with Sazerac & Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7yo.
Drank: Neat, in a Glencairn. Rested 15 minutes.

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Nose: Red apple, walnut, some fennel, deeper notes of beet skin, rye and capsicum (I guess that’s called bell pepper in the US?).
Palate: Medium mouthfeel, slightly hot, mild spice.
Finish: Finishes fruity with a herbal note of fennel.
Overall: Not very complex, but still enjoyable spicy notes and fruity finish.
Blind guess: Some kind of Beam product? Possible peanut on the nose. I have no idea.

Rating (given blind): 4

Thoughts: I absolutely didn’t think it was bad, I think this would be a fine daily drinker (for reference Bulleit got the same rating from me), if the price was right. I suspect the price is usually not right, though. And damn that bottle looks inconvenient to have on the shelf, as pretty as it is.